Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2006 Mitsubishi EclipseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 99 owner complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Most complaints involve service brakes (57) and service brakes, hydraulic (16). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
99
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009. Due to corrosion inside the antil-lock brake system (ABS) unit, one or more of the internal valves may seize. In a braking event that uses the ABS, a seized valve would increase brake pedal travel and reduce braking ability.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 2, 2015NHTSA 15V337000

Fuel system

Free remedy

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 45,988 MY 2005-2007 ENDEAVOR, GALANT, ECLIPSE COUPE, AND MY 2007 ECLIPSE SPYDER VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED DURING A METAL STAMPING PROCESS. THE PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE METAL TO HAVE A SPLIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOLT THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED. IN THE EVENT THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A SEVERE COLLISION, THE BRACKET MAY BREAK AND ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN, POSSIBLY CAUSING A FUEL LEAK.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 9, 2008NHTSA 08V454000

Service brakes

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF FOUR SEALS INSIDE THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY UNEXPECTEDLY BY-PASS HYDRAULIC BRAKING FORCE PRESSURE AND ALLOW A LONGER THAN NORMAL PEDAL STROKE.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 27, 2005NHTSA 05V299000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

99 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2005 – Jul 2025
  1. Service brakes57
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  3. Air bags11
  4. Power train6
  5. Structure5
  6. Tires5
  7. Electrical system3
  8. Equipment3
  9. Wheels2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Eclipse model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996168
1997164
1998151
1999135
2000311
2001300
2002104
2003166
200414
20056
200699
2007107
200871
200942
20101
20111
20128
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

57 reports4 crashes
“Vehicle went in for repair in March of 2025 for an open recall for the brakes. 3 months later the vehicle is experiencing brake issues related to a brake booster/master cylinder that was also recalled. Replacement is needed asap”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2025Service brakesODI 11676065

Service brakes, hydraulic

16 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2015Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10788101

Air bags

11 reports7 crashes
“POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE FELL AND RUBBED ON THE SERPENTINE SPELL UNTIL IT ATE A HOLE IN I. I AND THE TRACTION CONTROL IS ENGUAGEING AND DISENGAGEING ON ITS OWN ANS MY AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE FLASHING UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2019Steering, Suspension, Air bagsODI 11266674
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S4) · Automatic (S5) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Eclipse
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800386
Eclipse
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Eclipse
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$4,000444
Eclipse
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$4,200468
  • Eclipse
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1940Vehicle 1941
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Eclipse questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems?

Owners filed 99 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (57), service brakes, hydraulic (16), air bags (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026